Aeroplane.



W. H. FAUBBR. AEROPLANE,

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 24, 1908.

Patented Sept. 27, 1910.

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W. H. FAUBER.

ABROPLANE.

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AEROPLANE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 24, 1908.

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Patented Sept. 27, 1910.

W. H. FAUBER. AEROPLANE.

APPLIOATION FILED 001'. 24-, 1908.

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W. H. FAUBER.

AEROPLAN E. APPLICATION FILED OCT. 24, 1908.

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W. H. FAUBER.

AEROPLANE.

APPLICATION FILED 001'. 24, 1908.

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Patented Sept. 27, 1910.

"NILLIIIAM H. FAUBER, OF NANTERRE, FRANCE.

, AEROILANE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 27, 1910.

Application filed October 24, 1868. Serial No. 459,364.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. FAUBER, a citizen of the United States, and a resi-' dent of Nanterre, France, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Aeroplanes; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear,'and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanyi ng drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to apparatus for aerial navigation of the general class known as aeroplanes, and it has for its object the production of an apparatus of the kind stated, which is adapted to be safely, certainly and easily controlled in operation.

' An apparatus is shown in the accompanying drawings, which embodies a preerred form of my invention, and which embraces a light and strong horizontally disposed frame-work to which are applied aeroplane or supporting members, 1n the nature of sails or win s, and which are made of sheet material, suc for instance, as oiled silk or other strong light fabric. Beneath such frame-work is suspended alowerframework carrying a propeller and a motor for actuating the same. The said aeroplane members include laterally arranged members dis'posed substantially in a horizontal position'and arched members arran ed centrally along the longitudinal axis 0 the apparatusand above the level of said lateral aeroplane members. Both the lateral aeroplane members and the central arched supporting members are divided into transversely extending sectionsarranged in shelv ing relation, or with the forward edge of each member except the forward one, above the level of the rear ed e of the member imthe downwardl curved rear portion acts upon the air wit increasing effect as the air beneath it is set in motion, thereby affording enhanced lifting effect in proportion to the power applied to give forward movement to tween the the apparatus. Rudders are provided for controlling the vertical and horizontal movements of the apparatus, which embrace novel features of construction and arrangement, as will hereinafter appear.

The invention may be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a top plan view of the apparatus. Fig. 2 is a view of the same in side elevation. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the annaratuswith the central, arched supporting members shown in dotted lines. Fig. 4 is a transverse section taken on the line 44 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a plan view of a modified form of the apparatus. Fig. 6 is a detail section through the lateral suporting members of the apparatus taken on line 66 of Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a like sectional view, taken on the line 7-7 of'Fig. 5. Fig. 8 is a detail, side elevation of one of the supporting wheels located at the bottom of the frame of the apparatus. Fig. 9 is an end view of the parts shown in Fig. 8. Fig.

10 is a detail view of the propeller, showing the propeller shaft in section. Fig. 11 is a side'vi'ew ofthe propeller. Fig. 12 is a sec- .tionalview of one of the propeller blades taken on line 12--12 of Fig. 10. Fig. 13 is a detail section showi the connectlon beropeller bla es and shaft.

First re erring to the form of apparatus shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, 1, 1 indicate forward and 2, 2 indicate rear, laterally extending, substantially horizontal supporting planes or aeroplane members. Said aeroplane members are separated laterally from each other by a space of considerable width along the longitudinal center of the apparatus. L

3 and 4 indicate two central, longitudinally arranged supporting members, which fill the space between the lateral supporting members 1, 1 and 2, 2 and extend above the level of said lateral supporting members, the

samebeing, as shown in the drawings, made of'fiexible material and of arched form.

5 indicates a horizontalrudder located at the rear end of the apparatus and which is of triangular form with its pointed end directed'to the rear.

6 indicates a vertical steering rudder which is located below the level of the lateral aeroplane members and forward of the rudder 5.

7 indicates a forward, vertically arranged balancing member or center sail which is located on the central longitudinalline of the apparatus and extends downwardly from the level of the lateral aeroplane members, the same being of triangular form. 8 indicates a like vertical center sail arranged in line with and extending rearwardly from the forward sail 7, and preferably terminating adjacent to the forward end ofthe rud er 6.

Now, referring to the construction of the horizontally disposed frame-work to which is applied the fabric or sheet material which forms the lateral aeroplane members 1, l and 2, 2, the central supportin members 3 and 4 and the horizontal ru der 5, said frame-work embraces the following members: 9, 9 indicate longitudinal, parallel 7 frame members and 10, 11, 12, 13 and .14

transverse frame members, which latter extend between and rigidly connect said longitudinal frame members and constitute there with an open rectangular frame. Said longitudinal and transverse frame members may be made of light tubing, bamboo or the like, and are rigidly connected with each other. Rigidly attached to and extending outwardly from the longitudinal frame members 9, 9, are transverse framemembers 15, 15 which, as shown, are arranged in alinement with and constitute outward extensions of the central transverse frame member 12. The ends of the laterally extending frame members 15, 15 are connected by tension members 16, consisting of wires, cords or cables, with the forward and rear ends of the longitudinal frame members 9, 9.

The forward and rear lateral aeroplane members 1 and 2, at each side of the apparatus consist of flexible sheet material or fabric, and are of triangular form. Said members 1 and 2 are connected at their inner margins with the longitudinal frame members 9, 9 and the outer angles of said supporting members are attached to the outer ends of the outwardly extending frame members 15, 15. The side margins of the central arched supporting members 3 and 4 which are made 'of canvas, silk or light flexible sheet material, are secured at their side edges to said longitudinal frame members 9, 9 and are of such construction and width that each of them will assume the form of an arch when distended upwardly, as occurs when the apparatus is in motion or supported in the air, but may collapse and rest upon the frame work when the apparatus is at rest or not in use. As, illustrated, the side mar 'ns of the forward arched supporting mem ers extend from the forward ends of said longitudinal frame members 9, 9to the central transverse frame member 12, while the side margins of the rear arched member 4 are connected with the rear parts of said lon itudinal frame members and extend along t e same from the said transverse frame member 12 to the rear transverse frame member at its forward edge to the frame member 14 and along its center to the rib 17. As illustrated, the flexible rib 17 is attached to the said transverse frame member 14 and extends forward to and is connected with the transverse frame member 13.

The lower frame work of the a paratus is constructed as follows: 18 in icates a central, lower, longitudinal keel, member which is located at a considerable distance below the upper horizontal frame workand is connected with the longitudinal members 9, 9 of said frame work by means of three pairs of oblique frame members, the forward oblique members being marked 19, 19, the intermediate members 20, 20, and the rear members 21, 21. The upper ends of saidoblique frame members are attached to the said longitudinal frame members 9, .9 at

the point of attachment thereto of the three intermediate transverse frame members 11, 12 and 13, above referred to. The forward oblique frame members 19, 19 constitute with the frame member 11, atransversely arranged triangular frame. Likewise the intermediate oblique frame members 20,20 and the rear triangular frame members 21, 21 form with thetransverse frame members 12 and 13, similar triangular frames, The said lower frame-work is'stifi'ened by means of oblique tension members, 22, 22, which extend diagonally between the upper and lower ends of the forward and rear oblique The forward triangular center sail 7, as

clearly seen in Fig. 3, is. connected at its forward angle to the center of the forward transverse frame member 10 and at its .upright rear edge to a vertical rod or wire 23 which extends downwardly from the center of the transverse frame member 11 to the keel. Therear sail member 8 is connected at its forward edge to said wire 23, while its rear vertical margin is attached to an upright wire or cord 24 extending from the center of the transverse frame member 13 members. 19 and21, as clearly seen in Fig. 2.

downwardly to the lower frame-work. The

forward margin of the vertical steering rudder 6 is also attached to said wire or cord 24.

As a further means of bracing or holding in shape the entire frame-work of the apparatus, tension members or wires 25 (Fig. 2) extend horizontally between the oblique frame members 19 and 21, and other -wires 26 and 27 extend from the ends of said wires 25 in an upwardly inclined direction to the forward and rear ends of the longitudinal frame members 9, 9. A horizontal,

transverse tension member 28 extends bewardly to the longitudinal frame members 9, and are connected with the latter at points between the inclined frame members 19 and 21, and the forward and rear ends of said longitudinal members. In connection with said tension members 26, 27, 29, 30, 31 and 32 upright posts or struts 33, 33 rise from the longitudinal frame members 9,9 at the intersection of the frame member 12 therewith, and from the upper ends of each of said struts, rods or wires 34 extend to the lower ends of the opposite struts, other rods or wires 35 and 36 extend outwardly to the extremities of the transverse frame members 15 and to the central parts of the latter, and other rods or wires 37, 38, 39 and 40, Fig. 2, extend in a direction fore and aft of the apparatus from the upper ends of said upright struts 31 to the forward and rear ends of the longitudinal frame members 9 and to points on said longitudinal frame members at which the wires 31 and 32 are connected therewith.

Now, referring to the means illustrated for propelling the apparatus, 41 indicates a propeller, consisting of two obliquely arranged blades which extend outwardly from a horizontal propeller shaft 42 located in the central longitudinal plane of the machine below the level of the main horizontal frame work and of the lateral aeroplane members 1 and 2 thereon. The said propeller is located at the rear of the rearmost oblique frame members 21, 21 of the lower frame:

work, and the propeller shaft is mountel on the said lower frame-work at a point between the bottom and top of the said frame-work and at such distances above the keel member 18 that the propeller is entirely above said keel member.

43 indicates a motor with-which the propeller shaft 42 is directly connected; said motor being mounted on the lower frame work near the longitudinal center thereof. This location of the propeller described brings the same only a short distance rearward of the longitudinal center of the apparatus and well forward of the horizontal rudder 5.

Now, referring to the special arrangement with respect to each other of the lateral aeroplane sections 1 and 2, and of the central arched supporting members 3' and 4, these parts are arranged and applied to the frame-work of the apparatus as follows: The forward section 1 has its rear margin below and separate from the forward margin of the rear member 2 and said rear margin of the forward member is secured to the lower face of the laterally projecting frame member 15, in the manner indicated in the detail section, Fig. 6. The said forward the sheet material of which the aeroplane members are composed, takes the form of an upward curve between the frame member 9 and the outer end of the transverse frame member 15, so as to ermit the entrance of air beneath the said orward margin of said rear member. Moreover, the rear margin of the forward member 1, being attached to the said transverse frame member 15, is held from risin under upward air pressure, while the 'orward oblique margin ofsaid forward member 1, rises or bows upwardly under such upward air pressure. It follows that said forward member assumes the form shown in Fig. 6, the same curving downwardly and rearwardly in its rear part and having the greatest curvature near its rear margin, where it is attached to the transverse frame member 15. Similarly, in the case of the rear aeroplane member 2, the forward edge thereof, being curved upwardly by the air pressure beneath it, rises above the downwardly inclined rear portion of the forward member 1, and, having its rear inclined margin held substantially in a horizontal plane by the wire or tension member 16 to which it is attached, similarly assume a downwardly curved form from front to rear, as shown in Fig.6,with the greatest curvature adjacent to said rear margin. As a result of the downward curvature of the aeroplane member, a superior lifting effect is produced as compared with that afforded by a plane surface. This is due to the fact that the forward margins of such a downwardly curved aeroplane member acts upon the air at an angle, thereby producing a downwarl ressure upon and downward movement 0 the air, beneath and in immediate contact therewith. If the aeroplane member had the form of a perfectly flat inclined plane, the sustaining power due to the entire surface of the member would not be utilized because the air which has imparted to it a downward movement by the forward portion of the member, will. exercise substantially no upward pressure on thevrear part of the member. If, however, the member be inclined downwardly at its rear portion, with gradually increasing curvature, said member will continue to act or press downwardly on the air in its forward movement, because, while the air beneath the member will be deflected downwardly to some extent by the action of the forward portion of said member, the downwardly curved rear portion thereof will continue to act upon the air, by reason of the fact that the constantly increasing downwardly deflection of the supporting member will serve to compensate for the downward direction given to the air by the forward portion of the member. In other words, the increasingdownward curvature of the aeroplane member follows the air as the motion of the latter is acceleratel, thereby giving substantially uniform downward pressure of. all parts of the aeroplane member on the air and maximum sustaining power to the member as a whole. I

In the construction illustrated, wherein the aeroplane members 1 and 2 'are made of flexible material and are attached at their rear edges in one case to the transverse frame member 15, and in the other case to the oblique wire or tension member 16, the forward edges of said members are permitted to rise above the rear edges thereof, under the upward pressure of the air, by

reason of the looseness of said forward edges, which are not drawn taut between their points of connection with the framework. This construction has the advantage of facilitating the adjustment of said aeroplane members so that the best results can be obtained. It also has the advantage that the flexible material need not be drawn tight across the frame work and the latter is relieved from strains which would be produced by placing the material under tension.

The arched, central, supporting members 3 and 4 are arranged generally in the same relation to each other as the lateral aero plane members land 2. That is to say, the forward edge of the rear member 4 is higher than the adjacent rear edge of the forward member 3, and the upper parts of said members 3 and 4 are downwardly and rearwardly curved. This form of the said members 8 and 4 is produced by reducing the Width of the sheet material of which said sections 3 and 4 are formed, gradually from the front toward the rear, in such a manner as to produce a curved form in the tops of the arched members and a gradually increasing curvature at the rear portions of said members, as clearly seen in Fig. 2. The forward arched supporting member '3 is shown as havin a forwardly extending point or peak, an said members 3 and 4 are shown as provided with central, longitudinal, stiffening ribs 44 and 45, which are downwardly and rearwardly curved to correspond with the curvature of the tops of said members.

Now, referrin to the construction of the horizontal rud er 5, the same as before stated, is formed of a triangular piece of flexible material, attached to a central, flexible, lon itudinal rod 17. 'The purpose of theflexi le construction in said rudder is to enable its rear end to be bent or curved downwardly to a greater or less extent, so that it will act on the air beneath it to a greater or less degree in a manner to lift or depress the forward end of the apparatus. The means shown for so 'bending downwardly the rear end of said rudder 5 consists of a cord 46, extending from the rear end of the rib 17 downwardly to the lower framework. Said cord 46 may be adj usted by hand or by any suitable operating mechanism to give any desired downward curvature or inclination to the rear part of the rudder. As illustrated, the cord 46 has at its rear end a pulley 47 around which passes a cord 48 the ends of which are attached at two separate points to the rod or backbone 17, thereby distributing the strain of the cord 46 to separate points on the said rod 17. Said cord 46 is shown as passing at its forward end around a pulley 49 attached to the keel memberl8. Said horizontal rudder 5 performs the function of a rudder to change the longitudinal inclination of the apparatus or direct it up wardly or downwardly, and at the same time acts as a supporting surface or aeroplane member.

By reason of the location of the motor substantially at the center of the apparatus, both transversely and longitudinally, and at some distance below the aeroplane members, 7

the apparatus will be approximately selfbalancing in case the propeller ceases to operate and a parachute descent is to be effected. The propeller beingv locatedcon- V siderably below a line passing through the center of resistance to the forward movement of the aeroplane members, the thrust of said pro eller will manifestly tend to lift the forwar and depress the rear end of the apparatus but any such effect is countertherudder and at such distance below the rudder, that the. rearwardly moving current of air set in motion by the propeller acts upwardly onthe said rudder. The effectiveness of the lifting force of said rudder is augmented and its capacity to counteract the liftingefiect of the thrust in the propeller onthe forward end-of the apparatus, by' the action of such rearW-ardly moving current of air on the downwardly bent rear endofsaidrudder, and such lifting effect of the rudder may be made effective to a greater or less extent, as desired, according to the extent of downward curvature given to'its rear endby the cord 46. I deem it desirable that the motor should be'located at a relatively low point on the frame-work, for the reason that its weight acting at a point considerabl'y below the a roplane members,

adds greatly to tlistability of the apparatus. By placing the propeller shaft at the level of the motor it becomes possible to connect said shaft direct to the motor shaft, thereby greatly simplifying the construction. By the employment of the horizontal rudder 5, located at a considerable distance rearward of the propeller, and at such distance above the level of the same that, when the said: rudder is bent downwardly it is the forward end of the apparatus.

acted upon by the rearwardl moving air current from the propeller it liecomes practicable to so locate the motor and propeller, because it becomes thereby possible to utilize the action ofsuch air current on the lower surface of the rudder as ameans of counteracting the tendency of the propeller to lift It is to be noted in this connection that the vertical distance between the center of resistance to the forward movement of the aeroplane members and the line of thrust of the propeller is much less than the distance from the center of gravity of the ap aratus to the rear end of the horizontal ru der 5, and it follows that the rudder operates with enhanced effect or leverage to swing the appa-- ratus about its center of gravity in resisting the tendency of the propeller toswing or turn the apparatus on its said center of gravity in the opposite direction or in a direction to lift the front end of the appa- ,Said rudder consists of a piece of flexible material in the nature of triangular sail, the upright forward edge of which 1s attached like.

to the upright wire or rod 23 as hereinbefore stated; 7 The peak 01' point at the rear end of said rudder 6 is connected with the center of thtransverse frame member 14; by an elastic member 50, shown as having the form of a contractile coiled spring, but which may consist of an elastic cord or the Said elastic member 50 tends to keep the upper edge of the rudder stretched taut and the rudder in line with the longitudinal center of the apparatus. For giving lateral movement to the rear end of said vertical rudder 6, steering ropes 51, 51 are attached to the rearpoint or peak of the same, and

extend laterally to the sides of the horizontal frame work, where they pass around guide pulleys 52 and thence forward to other guide pulleys 53, from which they lead downwardly to points on the lower framework within reach of the operator. The rear end of the rudder may be drawn either to the right or left by pulling in one of the steering ropes and letting out the other one; the elastic member 50 stretchin to permit the lateral movement of the sald rear end of the rudder, as clearly indicated in Fig. 1. Aside from the advantage of lightness gained-by the sail-like rudder 6 described, a frame-work or backbone for said rudder being unnecessary, such a rudder in action assumes a' gradually increasing curvature from front to rear, thereby affording the same advantages in efl'ectiveness of action as set forth in connection with the curved form of aeroplane members and in connection with the flexible horizontal rudder. By reason of the presence of the propeller immediately below the rudder 6, the vertical width of the forward end thereof is limited, and in order to give increased size to said rudder it has a downwardly projecting point at the rear of the propeller to which point is attached a cord 54, which extends downwardly to the lower part of the framework and holds taut the forward portion of said rudder.

The vertically arranged balancing or center sails 7 and 8 are found to add greatly to the stability of the apparatus. Assuming, for instance, that the apparatus has been tipped or inclined to one side untll the dotted lines 55, 56, 57, shown in Fig. 4, represent upright or vertical lines, it will be lows that the air which is confined or pocketed between the left hand aeroplane members and the center sails 7 and 8, will actupwardly on the said left hand aeroplane members and the tendency of the u ward air pressure will be to lift the lower side of the apparatus and thereby restore the same to its horizontal position. The said center salls also tend, by their action on the air, to prevent the upper part of the apparatus from oscillating from side to side about a longitudinal line passing through its center of gravity, and thereby decrease lateral oscillation and add to the stability of the apparatus.

Another feature of my invention consists in supporting wheels 58 which are mounted at the center line of the frame-work below the longitudinal keel member 18, in position for contact with the ground in the descent of the apparatus. As shown, said wheels are two in number, of small diameter and located at opposite ends of the keel member 18. Said wheels are provided with pneumatic tires 59 of relatively large cross section and are mounted on the lower, horizontal ends of U-shaped spring arms 60, the

upper horizontal ends of which are attached' to the keel member 18. The said keel member is provided with downwardly facing surfaces 61 above the wheels, against which the latter strike or bear when pressed toward the frame. The said spring arms are shown as made duplex in structure, consisting of two parallel members between which the wheels are located, and the downwardly facing surfaces 61 are shown as formed by the fiat, upper, horizontal parts of said spring arms. Said spring arms 60 serve to afford an elastic connection between the wheel and the frame-work, and are sufficiently stiff or rigid to carry the weight of the apparatus when resting upon the ground, but when the apparatus strikes the ground in its descent w1th dangerous force,

the spring arms yield to permit the tops of the pneumatic tires to come in contact with the downwardly facing surface 61 so that the shock or jar, so produced is taken up or cushioned by said tire which is compressed bet-ween the wheel and the ground and also bet-ween the wheel and the frame-work. The wheels thus constructed and mounted are relieved from extreme shocks or jars, thereby avoiding the necessity of a heavy construction in said wheels.

The propeller 4-1 embraces novel features of construction as follows: Said ropeller has radially extending propeller blades 62, of which two are shown in the drawings. As illustrated, each blade hasa cylindric shank 63, which is attached to the propeller shaft by means of a sleeve or hub 64 in madeof a 'single'piece of nickel-steel or other propeller shaft at an angle to lines perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, the blades being inclined outwardly and forwardly, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawin The thrust of the outer parts of the blades on the air will manifestly tend to bend or deflect said blades forwardly or reversely to the direction of the thrust, but if the blades be inclined forwardly, as shown, the centrifugal, force generated by the high speed ofthe propeller will tend to straighten the blades or throw them to a position perpendicular to the central axis of the shaft and tothereby counteract the effect of the thrust and to a large degree relieve the shanks of the blades of the leverage due to such thrust. The inclined arrangemerit of the said blades thereby largely avoids the liability of fracture of the blades under the combined action of centrifugal force, bending and vibration, it being maniwould otherwise be necessary to give strength and rigidity, but which would be objectionable because giving increased resistance to the rotation of the blades As a means for detachably securing said blades to the propeller shaft, the hub 64 is provided with oppositely extending hollow nipples 65, which are internally screw threaded to receive the inner ends of the shanks of the blades, which are correspondingly screw threaded. The said nipples 65 are split or longitudinally slotted, and provided with clamping screws 66 by which the nipples may be drawn tightly aroundthe inner ends of the shanks and the latter thereby securely held from turning. Said propeller blades are made of greatest width at their outer ends and tapered inwardly tothe cylindric shanksthereof. This form inthe blades affords the greatest'eflective. surface or thrust area near the outer ends of the blades, where the speed of rotation is the highest. As a further improvement, I make the outer ends of the propeller blades transversely curved in shape with their concave sides facing rearwardly or in the direction of the thrust, as shown in Fig. 12. The'advance edges of the blades are at a slight inclination to the path of rotation of the same, and the rear portions thereof have a gradually increasing curvature to their back or rear edges. The blades so curved not only operate more advantageously by reason of the curvature thereof, but the concave form thereof serves to stiffen the same and prevent bending or fracture thereof under, the thrust of their outer ends against the air. The said blades have thin or sharp lateral, or forward and rear edges, adapted to lessen the resistance of the air in the rotation of the blades. The propeller blades made and arranged as described are particularly adapted to withstand the end thrust and vibrating effect due to the high speed at which the propeller of an aeroplane apparatus is driven, to withstand the torsional strains due to the impulses of a motor operating without a balance wheel, to withstand the tendency to elongation of the metal under the combined effects of centrifugal force and vibrations, to avoid unnecessary air resistance in rotation and to give maximum efficiency in end thrust. By reason of the forward inclination of the blades to their axis of rotation, the effect of the end thrust is counteracted by centrifugal force, as hereinbefore' stated, so'that the blades may be made light and thin, and withoutribs or re inforcemen-ts which would act to retard movement. The gradually increasing curvature of the rear edge of the blade isof such proportion as to take up the slip, the front edge thereof being substantially fiat, so that it will enterthe air on the pitch line, and the curvature gradually increases toward the rear edge in a manner adapted to take up the slip and insure the effective action of the entire area of the blade. The lateral curvature, moreover, strengthens or stiifens the,

blade, enabling the same to be made very thin, with consequent decrease of air displacement and resistance, and lessened employment of unproductive power.

In Fig. 5, Ihave shown a form of apparatus having at each side thereof three laterally projecting aeroplane members 70, 71 and 7 2, and along its center line three longitudinal, arched aeroplane members 73, 74 and 75. In. this instance the forward and rear lateral members and 72 are of triangular form, while the intermediate aeroplane member 71 is rectangular in shape. The said lateral aeroplane members 70, 71 and 72 are in this instance-constructed substantially as hereinbefore described, the same being made of flexible material and connected at their rear margins with the framework in such manner that said rear margins are held from rising while their forward margins are slack and adapted under the upward pressure of air thereon to rise in a curved form, thereby affording spaces through which air may enter between the adjacent rear and forward margins of said members. Moreover, the rear parts of each of said members are-curved downwardly,

with gradually increasing curvature, as

clearly shown in Fig. 7. As illustrated in the drawings, the rear transverse margins of 70 the members 70 and 71 are secured to the lower faces of the parallel transversely ex tending frame members 76 and 77 while the rear margin of the rear triangular member 62 is attached to an oblique tension member or wire 78. The said rear margins of the said aeroplane members are thereby held from rising while the front margins thereof, being attached at their ends to the framework loosely or without being stretched taut, are adapted to rise in the manner hereinbefore described. The arched members '7 3, 74 and will be downwardly inclined at their rear ends in the same manner as hereinbefore described in connection with the corresponding members 3 and 4 illustrated in Fig. 1. The apparatusshown in said Fig. 5 has a triangular, horizontal rudder 79, and may be otherwise constructed as illustrated in the figures of the drawing hereinbefore described. 1

An important feature of my invention is embraced in a construction which includes a plurality of aeroplane members or sections disposed in the same general horizontal plane, one at the rear of another, with the forward margin of each member or section above the level of its rear margin, or of the rear margin of a member located in advance of it. This construction aflords in the acroplane as a whole a large extent of aeroplane surface in a direction from front to rear of the apparatus, and a correspondingly large area or extent of supporting surface adapted to give parachute action. In prior aeroplane apparatus having parallel aeroplane members which are vertically separated from each other and of narrow dimensions from front to rear, a very small amount of parachute action is atforded to sustain the apparatus in case the propelling apparatus be disabled, so that in case the rapid forward movement of the apparatus ceases such forward movement may easily change to a perilous downward plunge. As compared 115 with such prior apparatus the arrangement of parts illustrated, by which the aeroplane members are disposed in substantially the same horizontal plane and in a manner to give extended longitudinal dimension to the 120 sustaining surface as a whole, and large parachute area, afl'ords important advantages in safety and stability, with superior lifting or sustaining effect.

An important advantage is gained in 12 making the aeroplane members with a downward curve at the rear margins thereof for the reason that the lifting or deflecting effect is greater with such curved surface than with the flat or plane surfaces relatively to 130 the horizontal power exerted or propelling force employed. The downward curved rudder 5, as wellas the aeroplane members 1, 2, 3 and 4 equally constitute aeroplanes in the general sense of that term and I therefore desire to cover aeroplanes or supporting members when made of such downward curve form at their rear parts or margins, whether such supporting members be employed as a horizontal rudder or as the main supporting member or members of an aeroplane apparatus. The superior lifting effect afforded by an aeroplane member which is downwardly curved at its rear part with a gradually increasing curvature may be understood from consideration of the fact that a plane surface advancing through the air at an angle to its line of motion and at eatest lifting a high spee produces the he reason for power near its front edge.

this is that, as the forward edge of a plane surface advances over a body of undisturbed air, it tends to displace, in a downward direction, the body of air just beneath it, the lifting effect produced being due to the fact that such body of air will be started in movement so slowly that its part'in immediate contact with the plane is compressed vto such extentas to exert an upward or resist-ing pressure on the plane. As the rear part of the plane advances over this body of air which has been acted on by the forward part of the plane, and which has been deflected or started in motion downwardly, such body of air can act with little upward pressure on the rear portion of the plane.

If, therefore, a flat plane be made of considerable width from front to rear, its rear portion will always be advancing over a body of air that has already been started in downward motion by the action of the forward part of the plane, and there is little further sustaining effect to be derived from it. If, however, mstead of a plane surface, a surface be employed which is downwardly curved toward its rear margin, with a grad ually increased curvature, the rear part of .the curved surface continually presents to the body of air, parts which are progressively lower, and which continue to exert downward pressure on such body of air, notwithstanding the fact that such body of air has been started downwardly. In other words, such a curved surface acts throughmember and a plurality of lateral aeroplane members located in a substantially horizontal plane at the sides of said central longimargins adjacent to the inner edges of said 7 lateral aeroplane members and extending at its central portion above the level of said lateral aeroplane members. 7

2. An apparatus for aerial navigation comprising a central longitudinal aeroplane member and a plurality of substantially horizontal, lateral aeroplane members located at the sides of said central longitudinal member and arranged one at the rear of another, with their forward edges above the level of the rear edges, and having their rear portions downwardly curved, said central supporting member having its lateral margins adjacent to the inner edges of said lateral supporting members and extending at its central portion above the level of said lateral supporting members.

3. In an apparatus for aerial navigation, the combination with a central longitudinal aeroplane member and a plurality of substantially horizontal, lateral aeroplane members located at the sides of said central, longitudinal member, and arranged oneat the rear of another with their forward edges above the level of their rear edges, and having their rear portions downwardly curved with a gradually increasing curvature toward the rear, said central, longitudinal member having its lateral margins adjacent to the inner edges of said lateral aeroplane members and extendingatits central portion above the level of said lateral supporting members. v

4. -An apparatus for aerial navigation comprising a central, longitudinal arched, collapsible aeroplane member, rality of lateral aeroplane members located in a substantially horizontal plane, at the sides of said central longitudinal member and arranged one at the rear of another, with their forward edges above the level of their rear edges.

5. An apparatus for aerial navigation comprising a horizontal frame work, a central, longitudinal aeroplane member, of flexible material, connected .at its side margins with said frame work, and a plurality ofsubstantially horizontal, lateral aeroplane members of flexible material, applied to said frame work at the sides of said central, longitudinal member and arranged one at the rear of another with their forward edges above the level of their rear edges, said lateral members being downwardly curved from theirfront to their rear edges.

6. In an apparatus for aerial navigation and a plu Comprising a horizontal frame work, a central, longitudinal supporting member of flexible material connected at its side margins to and rising in arched form above said frame work, and a plurality of substantially horizontal, lateral aeroplane members of flexible material applied to said frame work at the sides of said central, longitudinal member and arranged one at the rear of am other with their forward edges above the level of their rear edges, said members being downwardly curved from their'forward to their rear edges. t

7. An apparatus for aerial navigation comprising a horizontal frame-work, and a plurality of aeroplane members of flexible material applied to said frame-work, one at the rear of another, the said flexible members being attached along their rear margins to the frame-work and having their forward margins disconnected from the frame-work, so that said forward margins are left free to rise in bowed form between their ends under upward air pressure. 7

8. An apparatus for aerial navigation comprising a horizontal frame-work provided with two parallel longitudinal framemembers, and with transverse frame members extending laterally outward from said longitudinal frame members, and two aeroplane members of flexible sheet material. appliedto the frame-work at each side thereof, said members being connected at their inner margins with the said longitudinal frame members andattheir outer angles to the outer ends of the transverse frame mem bers, with the forward edge of the real-most member above the level of the rear edge of the forward member. V

9. An apparatus for aerial navigation comprising a horizontally disposed framework provided with two parallel longitudinal frame members, with transverse frame members extending outwardly from said longitudinal frame members, and with tension members extending from the outer ends of said transverse frame members to the said longitudinal frame members, and aplurality of aeroplane members of flexible sheet material applied to each side of the said frame-work, said aeroplane members being connected at their inner margins with said longitudinal frame members and at their outer angles to the outer ends of the transverse frame members, andthe forward edges of the rear aeroplane member being located above the-level of the rear edges of the forward aeroplane members.

10. An apparatus for aerial navigation comprising. a horizontally disposed framework provided with two parallel l'ongitudi-' nal frame members, with transverse frame members "extending outwardly from said longitudinal frame members, and with tension members extending from the outer ends of said transverse frame members to the said longitudinal frame members, and a plurality of aeroplane members of flexible sheet material applied to each side of the said frame work, said aeroplane members being connected at their inner margins with the said longitudinal frame members and at their outer angles to the outer ends of the transverse frame members, and the rear margins of the forward aeroplane member being attached to said transverse frame members, and the rear edges of the rearmost aeroplane members being attached to the tension members which extend rearwardly from said transverse frame members.

.11. An apparatus for aerial navigation comprising a central, longitudinal supporting member of arched form, substantially horizontal, lateral aeroplane members separated from each other by a central space extending in the direction of flight, said central supporting member being located between and rising above the level of said lateral aeroplane members, the front edge of the rear supportin member being located above the level of t e rear edge of the forward supporting member.

- 12. An apparatus for aerial navigation comprising substantially horizontal, lateral aeroplane members and two central, longitudinally arranged supporting members of arched form located between and rising above said lateral aeroplane members, the upper portions of said central, arched supporting members being downwardly curved at their rear parts.

13. An apparatus for aerial navigation comprising substantially horizontal, lateral tral, longitudinally arranged supporting members of arched form located between and rising above said lateral aeroplane members, the aeroplane members at each side of the apparatus embracing a plurality of.

members, located one at the rear of another, both said lateral aeroplane members and arched central supporting members being downwardly curved at thelr rear ends.

15. An apparatus for aerial navigation comprising a horizontally disposed framework provided with two parallel longitudinal frame members, and with transverse frame members which extend outwardly from said longitudinal frame members, a plurality of longitudinally arranged, central arched supporting members, connected at their side margins with the said longitudinal frame members, and a plurality of aeroplane members of flexible material a plied to the said frame at each side of said central longitudinal supporting members,

, with the forward edges of the rearmostaeroplane members located above the level of the gear edges of the forward aeroplane memers.

16. An apparatus for aerial navigation comprising a horizontally disposed framework provided with two parallel longitudinal frame members, and with transverse frame members which extend outwardly from said longitudinal frame members, a plurality of longitudinally arranged, central, arched supporting members, connected at their side margins with the said longitudina-l frame members, a plurality of aeroplane members of flexible material applied to the said frame at each side of said central longitudinally supporting members, said central and lateral frame members and extending outwardly from said lateral'frame members, a central, arched supporting mem ber connected at its side margins with said lateral, longitudinal frame members, aeroplane members of flexible material applied to said horizontally'disposed frame-work out side of the lateral, longitudinal frame members and a lower frame-work comprising a centrally arranged, longitudinal keel member, centrally arranged upright rigid frame members attached to and extending downwardly from the said central longitudinal frame members of the, upper frame-work, and inclined, rigid frame members extending upwardly from the said central longitudinal keel member to the lateral lo itudinal frame members of the upper amework. a

18. An apparatus for aerial navigation comprising an upper, horizontally disposed frame-work, provided with a central, longitudinal frame member, with two lateral longitudinal frame members and with transverse frame members extending outwardly from said lateral, longitudinal frame mem bers, a central, arched supportingmember connected at its side marglns with said lateral, longitudinal frame members, aeroplane,

members of flexible material applied to said horizontally disposed frame-work outside of said lateral longitudinal frame members, a lower frame-work comprisinga centrally arranged, longitudinal keel member, a cen-.

trally arranged, upright, rigid frame member attached to and extending downwardly from said central, longitudinal frame member of the upper frame-work forward of the rear end ofthe' latter, inclined rigid frame members extending from said central keel member to the lateral, longitudinal frame members of the upper frame-work, a motor mountedon the lower frame-work, a propeller mounted on said lower frame-work and located at the rear of said upright frame 19. An apparatus for aerial navigation comprising an upper, horizontally disposed frame-work, aeroplane members applied thereto','a horizontal rudder extending rearwardly from said upper frame-work, a lower frame-work dependin from the upper frame-work, a propel er carried by said lower frame-work at the rear of the latter, a

vertical steering rudder of flexible material located beneath the said upper frame-work in advance of the said horizontal rudder, said steering rudder consisting of a flexible sheet of triangular form, having an upright forward edge which is connected with the lower frame-work, and a rearwardly directed point or angle, steering ropes connected with the said point or angle of the rudder for shifting or moving the same laterally, and V a cord connected with the lower margin of said flexible rudder and extending downwardly to the lower part of said lower frame at the rear of the propeller.

20. An apparatus for aerial navigation comprising an upper, horizontally disposed frame work provided with two longitudinal, laterally separated frame members and with a central, longitudinal frame member, aeroplane members attached to the said frame work outside of said laterally separated frame member, a central supporting member connected with and extending between said laterally separated frame members, and a central, vertical, longitudinally arranged balancing sail attached at its upper edge to and extendingdownwardly from said central longitudinal member of the frame work.

21. apparatus for aerial. navigation .COIIIPIISHIg an upper, horizontally disposed frame work provided with two longitudinal, laterally separated frame'members and with a central, longitudinal frame member, aeroplane members attached to the said frame work outside of said laterally separated frame member, a central, arched supporting member of flexible material connected at its side margins with said .laterally separated, longitudinal frame members, and a central,

vertically arranged balancing sail attached plane members attached to said upper frame work and extending outwardly from said laterally separated, longitudinal frame members, a central, supporting member attached at its side margins to and extending between said laterally separated, longitudinal frame members, a lower frame work dependin from said upper frame work, and a centra vertical, longitudinal balancing sail connected at its upper margin with the said central, longitudinal member of the upper frame work and attached at its lower margin to the said lower frame work.

23. An apparatus for aerial navigation comprising an upper, horizontally disposed frame work provided with two main, longitudinal, laterally separated frame members,

and a central longitudinal frame member, aeroplane members attached to said upper frame work, a lower frame work embracin and a central longitudinal frame member,

aeroplane members attached to said upper frame work, a lower. frame work embracing a longitudinal keel member, and two-upright, rigid members extending from said keel member upwardly to said central, longitudinal member of the upper frame work, a balancing sail connected with the said central, longitudinal frame member and the forward, upright frame member, and a steering rudder connected at its forward edge with and extending rear -upright member.

25. An apparatus for aerial navigation comprising an upper, horizontally disposed frame work provided with two main, longitudinal, laterally separated frame members and a central, longitudinal frame member, aeroplane members attached to said frame work, a lower frame work embracing a longitudinal keel member, and two upright,

rearwardly from the rigid members extending from said keel members upwardly to the central longitudinal member of the upper framework, a vertical, longitudinally arranged balancing sail of triangular form located at the forward end of the apparatus and connected at its upper margin with said central, longi-v tudinal member of the upper frame work and at its rear margin with the forward,

upright frame member, and a second balancing sail extending from front to rear and attached at its forward and rear edges to the forward and rear upright frame members. i 26. An apparatus for aerial navigation comprising an upper, horizontally disposed frame work provided with two main, longitudinal, laterally se arated frame -members .and a central, longitudinal frame member,

aeroplane members attached to said frame work, a lower frame work embracing a longitudinal keel member, and two upright,

rigid members extending from said keel member upwardly to the central longitudinal member of the upper frame work, a vertical, longitudinally arranged balancing sail of triangular form located at the forward end of the apparatus and connected at its upper margin with said central, longitudinal member of the upper frame work and at its rear margin with the forward, upri ht frame member, a second balancing sail extending from front to rear between said forward and rear upright frame members and attached at its upper margin to the said central, longitudinal frame member of the upper frame work.

27. An apparatus for aerial navigation comprising an up er, horizontally. disposed frame work provi ed with two main, longitudinal, laterally separated frame members and a central, longitudinal frame member, aeroplane members attached to said frame work, a lower frame work embracing :1,

s'aid forward and rear, upright frame memsaid frame-work being provided with a bers, and a steering rudder attached at its downwardly facing bearing surface located forward mar in to and extending rearabove the said wheel. wardly from t erearu right frame member. In testimony, that I claim the foregoing 15 5 28.-A n apparatus 1%:- aerial navigation as my invention I afiix my signature in the comprising a frame-work, aeroplane mem presence of two witnesses, this 30th day 0 bers attached to said frame-work and a sup- September A. D. 1908.

porting wheel located below the bottom of 1 WILLIAM H. FAUBER. the frame-work, said wheel being provided Witnesses: 10 with a pneumatic tire, and a flexible arm -H. C. Coxn,

connecting said wheel with the frame-work, JOHN BAKER. 

